One day while walking down that familiar long path

I realised how the shrubs seemed to shrivel up and die.

The place, which once had livened up by the spring flowers,

looked forlorn and distant to my eyes.

I could feel a wave of chill running through me

and my heart surely stopped for a moment;

an un-describable feeling had swelled up deep down.

The only thought which was entering my mind

was to see– to make sure– that that special place 

had not suffered the same brutal fate.

As my feet rushed me to that little shade,

I looked around wildly to find green,

just a little life somewhere, and maybe

my pounding heart could be a bit reassured.

Yet all my desperate eyes seem to meet

gave off a feeling that it only got worser.

Stubbed fields were what remained

of the once lush green grass I remembered;

the woods seemed devoid of any emotions,

nothing danced to the tune of the wind anymore.

Sure, there were still some trunks standing up

but they gave off a loathing aura now– 

big dark moths replacing the butterflies;

and I sunk deeper in despair and fright.

I could not even ask myself why this was happening

as deep down in my fragile heart,

I feared I knew the reason too well enough.

But admitting to it was something

I had always been weak at–

was the only thing I could admit to yet.

I was nearing those woods where my secret place was,

as something suddenly caught my roving eye–

it had begun to liven up again, even if just a bit.

And it seemed as if it was gradually increasing.

The pounding in my heart took on a whole new meaning

as I was suddenly washed over with relief and hope.

I switched to running straight towards the shade

rather than loitering around observing the surroundings;

filled with renewed hope and dying despair,

a desperate war raging on within me.

The narrow clearing came into view

passing which I will come to that shade.

I jumped and hurried over the little bushes

which seemed to be still live and intact.

Moving forward rapidly, I could feel my face being torn

by the occasional thorn and branch–

there was no way I was going to stop now.

Because it was the place where I had first met you.

Where I had first seen your beautiful smile.

It had been the most refreshing thing ever

to look into your captivating eyes and smile back.

And there it was! The tree stood in all its glory,

the cherry blossoms glowed in the evening light

as they swayed gently to the flowing breeze.

I could not hold back a smile

as a single tear ran down my cheek,

and I rushed to embrace the old yet full-of-life trunk.